17th January, 2015
Former governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro have urged voters to disregard propaganda and smear campaigns and cast their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan.
They also urged the people of Lagos State to vote for the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr Jimi Agbaje.
NAN reports that the duo made the calls at the inauguration of the Goodluck/Sambo Independent Support Team on Saturday in Lagos.
Addressing supporters and members of the team, Daniel said that in spite of the insecurity situation in some parts of the country, Jonathan remained the secret to peace and stability of the country.
“We thank God that Jonathan has almost completed his first term. It will be unjust not to allow him go for a second term,” he said.
He added that after the Jonathan’s administration, power should continue to rotate among all the geo-political zones in the country.
In his speech, Obanikoro, former Minister of State for Defence, said a lot of mudslinging and misrepresentation had been made against Jonathan’s administration.
“People are trying to sell blue as white to Nigerians. We cannot afford to go backward. What we are expecting are brighter days that the Jonathan/Sambo administration will bring, not darker days.
“The change they are selling is backward change. That is why we are putting all energies to ensure victory for Jonathan and Agbaje in Lagos.
“The best thing that can happen in Lagos is to have Jonathan and Agbaje at the centre and in Lagos.
“If PDP takes over power in Lagos, it would give the state more edge and more advantages.
“It will help the state to move forward and get more support from the centre without antagonising the federal government to the detriment of the people of Lagos.”
Obanikoro reiterated that the best thing for Nigeria was to stay with Jonathan.
“It’s either we embrace the future or go back to the trenches as we inch closer to election day”, he added.
On the Violence-Free Accord signed by presidential candidates, Obanikoro said the pact should be extended to states and local governments.
Director General of the team, Dr Adetokunboh Pearse, said the team was to mobilise support for Jonathan and Agbaje at the grassroots.
He enjoined the supporters to ensure that they collected their permanent voter cards so as to be able to vote, come February.